StartIng the Day
A positive morning routine is a hallmark of happy people. Creating a good start to the day can begin the night before. Setting yourself up for a strong morning sets a solid tone for the rest of the day. If we wake up feeling rushed and behind, we lose our sense of calm before we have an opportunity to claim it. Setting things up the night before can be a helpful strategy to setting up a positive day.
For instance, one student likes to place her school or work items in a bag, by the door, so she’s not looking for her laptop, laptop charger, mouse, thumb drive, or all the other things she knows she needs during the day. Whether it’s the outfit that’s laid out or the shoes and socks that are placed together; setting everything up the night before can give a sense of empowerment to begin the day. This creates a sense of being in charge and having it “all together.” If you’re planning to eat breakfast or take your lunch–and that may feel like a lot to ask– you can have your meals ready to go, in the lunch box. At the very least, you have the dishes clean enough to put things together.
Others have problems getting a full eight hours of sleep. Some folks set alarms to tell them, “Okay, it’s almost time to go to sleep now,” which can help them get to bed on time. The time we can wake up in the morning has a lot to do with the time wego to bed. Unfortunately, it’s harder to get up at five when you go to bed at one-thirty. Who knew?
To go to sleep at the right time, it can be helpful to avoid caffeine after a certain time in the day. At six o’clock, we may start to get tired, and think “Well, I should have a glass of tea (or afternoon coffee).” Then, all of a sudden, it’s twelve o’clock midnight, and we’re not sleepy. Caffeine, food, or screen-time can really affect a person before bed. By acting consciously, we can take positive steps the night before to wake up refreshed and recharged.